Medal of Honor - Double Recipients

[stingerwooten]

Just thought I would add something to an old topic. Found this excellent topic in the Reference section of the forum Reference MOH where it lists recipients of multiple Medals of Honor. Only 19 United States servicemen have been awarded the Medal of Honor twice, and only 14 have been awarded the United States' highest military honor for two separate actions. Just thought I would add to it with some pics and some more info about the men behind the medals. So here are the recipients I'm listing today:

 

Maj. Gen. Baldwin, Frank D., USA

Gen. Butler, Smedley D., USMC

Coxswain Cooper, John (born John Laver Mather Cooper), USN

Capt. Cukela, Louis, USMC

Lt. Col. Custer, Thomas W., USA

Sgt. Maj. Daly, Daniel J., USMC

 

 

 

Frank Dwight Baldwin (June 26, 1842 – April 22, 1923), a native of Constantine, Michigan, and born in Manchester, Michigan, is one of only 19 servicemen to receive the Medal of Honor twice. Baldwin received this award for his actions during the Atlanta Campaign where he led his company to battle at Peachtree Creek and captured two commissioned officers in the American Civil War. He received his second Medal of Honor for conspicuous bravery in 1874 during the Indian Wars.

 

First Medal of Honor Citation

 

Rank and organization: Captain, Company D, 19th Michigan Infantry; First Lieutenant, 5th U.S. Infantry. Place and date: At Peachtree Creek, Georgia, July 12, 1864. Date of issue: December 3, 1891. Under a galling fire ahead of his own men, and singly entered the enemy's line, capturing and bringing back two commissioned officers, fully armed, besides a guidon of a Georgia regiment.

 

Second Medal of Honor Citation

 

Place and date: At McClellan's Creek, Texas, November 8, 1874. Citation: Rescued, with 2 companies, 2 white girls by a voluntary attack upon Indians whose superior numbers and strong position would have warranted delay for reinforcements, but which delay would have permitted the Indians to escape and kill their captives.

 

 

 

Smedley Darlington Butler (July 30, 1881 – June 21, 1940), nicknamed "The Fighting Quaker" and "Old Gimlet Eye", was a Major General in the U.S. Marine Corps, and at the time of his death the most decorated Marine in U.S. history. During his 34-year career as a Marine, he participated in military actions in the Philippines, China, in Central America and the Caribbean during the Banana Wars, and France in World War I. By the end of his career he had received 16 medals, five of which were for heroism. He is one of 19 people to twice receive the Medal of Honor, one of three to be awarded both the Marine Corps Brevet Medal and the Medal of Honor, and the only person to be awarded the Brevet Medal and two Medals of Honor, all for separate actions.

 

First Medal of Honor Citation

Rank and organization: Major, U.S. Marine Corps. Born: 30 July 1881, West Chester, Pa. Appointed from: Pennsylvania. G.O. No.: 177, 4 December 1915.

For distinguished conduct in battle, engagement of Vera Cruz, 22 April 1914. Maj. Butler was eminent and conspicuous in command of his battalion. He exhibited courage and skill in leading his men through the action of the 22d and in the final occupation of the city.

 

Second Medal of Honor Citation

Rank and organization: Major, U.S. Marine Corps. Born: 30 July 1881, West Chester, Pa. Appointed from: Pennsylvania.

As Commanding Officer of detachments from the 5th, 13th, 23d Companies and the marine and sailor detachment from the U.S.S. Connecticut, Maj. Butler led the attack on Fort Riviere, Haiti, 17 November 1915. Following a concentrated drive, several different detachments of marines gradually closed in on the old French bastion fort in an effort to cut off all avenues of retreat for the Caco bandits. Reaching the fort on the southern side where there was a small opening in the wall, Maj. Butler gave the signal to attack and marines from the 15th Company poured through the breach, engaged the Cacos in hand-to-hand combat, took the bastion and crushed the Caco resistance. Throughout this perilous action, Maj. Butler was conspicuous for his bravery and forceful leadership.

 

Capture of Fort Riviere, Haiti, 1915, by D. J. Neary; illustrations of then-Major Smedley Butler, Sergeant Iams, and Private Gross (USMC art collection).

 

[url=http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Smedley_Butler

 

(No Picture Available)

John Cooper (July 24, 1828 – August 22, 1891) (born as John Laver Mather Cooper) was a member of the United States Navy. He is one of only nineteen people who have received the Medal of Honor twice.

 

His first such award came about because of his actions aboard the USS Brooklyn (1858) during the Battle of Mobile Bay, August 5, 1864. The second award was a result of an accidental fire in which Cooper advanced through the burning area in order to rescue a wounded man from certain death on April 26, 1865.

 

He was buried at Cypress Hills National Cemetery, Section 2, Grave 7410, in Brooklyn, New York.

 

First Medal of Honor Citation

Rank and organization: Coxswain, U.S. Navy. Born: 1832, Ireland. Accredited to: New York. G.O. No.: 45, December 31, 1864.

On board the U.S.S. Brooklyn during action against rebel forts and gunboats and with the ram Tennessee, in Mobile Bay, 5 August 1864. Despite severe damage to his ship and the loss of several men on board as enemy fire raked her decks from stem to stern, Cooper fought his gun with skill and courage throughout the furious battle which resulted in the surrender of the prize rebel ram Tennessee and in the damaging and destruction of batteries at Fort Morgan.

 

Second Medal of Honor Citation

Rank and organization: Coxswain, U.S. Navy. Born: 1832, Ireland. G.O. No.: 62, June 29, 1865.

Served as quartermaster on Acting Rear Admiral Thatcher's staff. During the terrific fire at Mobile, on 26 April 1865, at the risk of being blown to pieces by exploding shells, Cooper advanced through the burning locality, rescued a wounded man from certain death, and bore him on his back to a place of safety.

 

 

 

Louis Cukela, born Vjekoslav Lujo Čukela, (Croatian: Vjekoslav Lujo Čukela, pronounced "luyo chukela"; May 1, 1888 – March 19, 1956) was a United States Marine numbered among the nineteen two-time recipients of the Medal of Honor. Cukela was awarded the Medal by both the US Army and the US Navy for the same action during the Battle of Soissons in World War I. He was also awarded decorations from France, Italy, and Yugoslavia.

 

Navy Medal of Honor Citation

For extraordinary heroism while serving with the 66th Company, 5th Regiment, during action in Forest de Retz, near Viller-Cottertes, France, July 18, 1918. Sgt. Cukela advanced alone against an enemy strong point that was holding up his line. Disregarding the warnings of his comrades, he crawled out from the flank in the face of heavy fire and worked his way to the rear of the enemy position. Rushing a machine-gun emplacement, he killed or drove off the crew with his bayonet, bombed out the remaining part of the strong point with German hand grenades, and captured two machineguns and four men.

 

Army Medal of Honor Citation

When his company, advancing through a wood, met with strong resistance from an enemy strong point, Sgt. Cukela crawled out from the flank and made his way toward the German lines in the face of heavy fire, disregarding the warnings of his comrades. He succeeded in getting behind the enemy position and rushed a machinegun emplacement, killing or driving off the crew with his bayonet. With German hand grenades he then bombed out the remaining portion of the strong point, capturing 4 men and 2 damaged machineguns.

 

[url=http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Louis_Cukela

 

 

 

Thomas Ward Custer (March 15, 1845 – June 25, 1876) was a United States Army officer and two-time recipient of the Medal of Honor for bravery during the American Civil War. He was a younger brother of George Armstrong Custer, perishing with him at Little Bighorn in the Montana Territory. Thomas Custer was the first man to be awarded two Medals of Honor. He distinguished himself by winning successively the brevets of Captain, Major, and Lieutenant Colonel, although he was barely twenty years of age when the Civil War ended. He was awarded two Medals of Honor for capturing Confederate regimental flags (2nd North Carolina Cavalry flag at Namozine Church on April 3, 1865, and again at Sayler's Creek on April 6, 1865). He was one of only four soldiers or sailors to receive the dual honor during the Civil War.

 

First Medal of Honor Citation

Rank and organization: Second Lieutenant, Company B, 6th Michigan Cavalry. Place and date: At Namozine Church, Va., 10 May 1863. Entered service at: Monroe, Mich. Birth: New Rumley, Ohio, 25 June 1845. Date of issue: 3 May 1865.

Capture of flag on 10 May 1863.

 

Second Medal of Honor Citation

Rank and organization: Second Lieutenant, Company B, 6th Michigan Cavalry. Place and date: At Sailor Creek , Va, 6 April 1865. Entered service at: Monroe, Mich. Birth: New Rumley, Ohio, 25 June 1845. Date of issue: 26 May 1865.

2d Lt. Custer leaped his horse over the enemy's works and captured 2 stands of colors. having his horse shot from under him and receiving a severe wound.

 

 

 

Sergeant Major Daniel Joseph "Dan" Daly (November 11, 1873 – April 27, 1937) was a United States Marine and one of only nineteen men (including seven Marines) to have received the Medal of Honor twice. Of the Marines who are double recipients, only Daly and Major General Smedley Butler received their Medals of Honor for two, separate actions.

 

Daly is commonly attributed as having yelled, "Come on, you sons of bitches! Do you want to live forever?" to the men in his company prior to charging the Germans during the Battle of Belleau Wood in World War One, although Daly claimed himself to have said, "For Christ's sake men—come on! Do you want to live forever?"

 

Daly was described by his fellow Medal of Honor double award recipient, Maj. Gen. Smedley Butler as,"The fightinest Marine I ever knew!" Daly reportedly was offered an officer's commission twice to which he responded that he would rather be, "...an outstanding sergeant than just another officer."

 

First Medal of Honor Citation

Rank and organization: Private, U.S. Marine Corps. Born: 11 November 1873, Glen Cove, Long Island, N.Y. Accredited to. New York. G.O. No.: 55, 19 July 1901.

In the presence of the enemy during the battle of Peking, China, 14 August 1900, Daly distinguished himself by meritorious conduct.

 

Second Medal of Honor Citation

Rank and organization: Gunnery Sergeant, U.S. Marine Corps. Born: Glen Cove, Long Island, N.Y., 11 November 1873. Accredited to: New York.

Serving with the 15th Company of Marines on 22 October 1915, G/Sgt. Daly was one of the company to leave Fort Liberte, Haiti, for a 6-day reconnaissance. After dark on the evening of 24 October, while crossing the river in a deep ravine, the detachment was suddenly fired upon from 3 sides by about 400 Cacos concealed in bushes about 100 yards from the fort. The marine detachment fought its way forward to a good position, which it maintained during the night, although subjected to a continuous fire from the Cacos. At daybreak the marines, in 3 squads, advanced in 3 different directions, surprising and scattering the Cacos in all directions. G/Sgt. Daly fought with exceptional gallantry against heavy odds throughout this action.

 

[url=http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Daniel_Daly

[Jim Baker]

Chief John King

 

[pchepurko]

You said that 7 of the 19 men who received the Medal of Honor twice were Marines. Give that fact that the Marine Corps was the smallest of the services and probable 1/10th the size of the army and yet they account for more then 1/3 of the double award holder!

[seanmc1114]

You said that 7 of the 19 men who received the Medal of Honor twice were Marines. Give that fact that the Marine Corps was the smallest of the services and probable 1/10th the size of the army and yet they account for more then 1/3 of the double award holder!

But how many of the 7 received both the Navy and Army Medals Of Honor for the same act?

[Allan H.]

But how many of the 7 received both the Navy and Army Medals Of Honor for the same act?

 

The answer is ALL of them!

 

The funny thing here is that there was an earlier post concerning upgraded and downgraded awards where some of the recipients ended up wearing both medals even though they were only authorized to wear one. The originator of this post took a (rightfully so) dim view of the practice, yet he brought it up in this thread so I am wondering where he really stands on the issue.

 

personally, I believe that the seven marines who held both the Army MOH and the Navy MOH for valor in WWI, while true heroes, should have never kept both awards. The same goes for the Navy Cross/ DSC recipients. That being said, I would LOVE to find a grouping to one of these heroes!

 

Allan

[barker944]

The answer is ALL of them!

Allan

 

Huh??? :think:

 

See info on MG Butler & SMAJ Daley above. I'm reliably informed both these gentlemen were US Marines and are included in the aforementioned seven. Both these Marines' Medals of Honor are of the Navy variety and appear from their citations to have been awarded for separate actions; are they not?

 

Jim

[Allan H.]

Huh??? :think:

 

See info on MG Butler & SMAJ Daley above. I'm reliably informed both these gentlemen were US Marines and are included in the aforementioned seven. Both these Marines' Medals of Honor are of the Navy variety and appear from their citations to have been awarded for separate actions; are they not?

 

Jim

 

Jim, the question was how many of the SEVEN received both the Army and the Navy MOH for the same act. I stand behind my answer of ALL OF THEM as all of the marines who received bot the ARMY and the NAVY MOH did so for the same act.

 

The original question was flawed as you are quite correct that General Butler and Sergeant Major Daly were marines who received two NAVY MOH's. The remaining marines "double dipped" by receiving two medals for one act.

 

Thanks for the clarification.

Allan

[barker944]

Jim, the question was how many of the SEVEN received both the Army and the Navy MOH for the same act. I stand behind my answer of ALL OF THEM as all of the marines who received bot the ARMY and the NAVY MOH did so for the same act.

 

The original question was flawed as you are quite correct that General Butler and Sergeant Major Daly were marines who received two NAVY MOH's. The remaining marines "double dipped" by receiving two medals for one act.

 

Thanks for the clarification.

Allan

Allan,

I think we're saying the same thing differently. I lumped Butler & Daly in with all the Marine double awardees. You are correct that all the Marines awarded the Army MOH also recieved the Navy MOH for the same action.

 

Interesting to note that SMAJ Daly was almost included in that group. I believe he was recommended for the MOH by the Army but someone up the chain of command (the Corps Commander I think) objected because he didn't think anyone should have three Medals of Honor. The recommendation was downgraded to a DSC. If it hadn't been for that officer's bias, Daly could have been a triple awardee or more likely, given the Navy's practice, a quadruple awardee.

 

Jim

[Mark Costa]

The statement that all 7 Marines received both an Army and Navy MOH is absolutely wrong. Only 5 of the 7 Double Marine recipients medals received an Army and Navy medal for the same act. They were Louis Cukela, John Kelly, John Pruitt, Matej Kocak and Ernest Janson (who is also known as Charles Hoffman) received both type medals.

 

Butler and Daly received two Navy Medals for different separate acts and are not WWI recipients.

 

There were three other Marines in WWI who received MOH's but DID NOT RECEIVE BOTH MEDALS. These three were Fred Stockham who only received an Army MOH and is listed as an Army recipient in the totals.

Ralph Talbot and Guy Robinson the other WWI Marines only received a Navy MOH. These three only received one medal each. Why they were not given both types is not known.

 

 

Hence there are only 5 Double Recipients who received both an Army and Navy medal -- NOT 7 !!

 

 

Mark Costa